The Meaning Behind The Song: The Sensual World by Kate Bush
Kate Bush’s 1989 album titled “The Sensual World” is a mixture of dreamlike, sensual, and romantic songs. The title track is the album’s opener and is an evocative masterpiece that combines elements of mysticism, sexuality, and introspection.
The song’s lyrics and melody have been the subject of interpretations and theories for years. In this article, we will analyze the meaning behind the song and its significance to Kate Bush’s career.
‘The Sensual World’ Lyrics Analysis
The song’s lyrics describe a woman’s journey through life and her discovery of her own sensuality and sexuality. The chorus, in particular, reflects this:
“Mmm, yes, then I’d taken the kiss of seedcake back from his mouth
Going deep South, go down, mmh, yes,
Took six big wheels and rolled our bodies off of Howth Head
And into the flesh, mmh, yes”
The image depicted in this chorus is powerful – rolling one’s body off a cliff and into the flesh represents giving oneself over to sex and pleasure. The ‘seedcake’ is symbolic of the first taste of sex and the being ‘deep South’ may be symbolic of the depths of sensual pleasures.
The verses follow an elegiac narrative, describing a woman’s journey through life with its disappointments, pain, and joys. The line that stands out is ‘I’m kneeling down to the floor’. This line is a reference to the Catholic practice of kneeling in prayer, suggesting a search for spiritual fulfillment.
The final verse shows the woman’s transformation, from a disheartened person to one who has found satisfaction both spiritually and sexually.
“Mmh, yes, then I’d taken the kiss of seedcake back from his mouth
Going deep South, go down, mmh, yes
This is the essence, this is the root of the tree
And this is the fruit, of the tree”
The last line of the song is one of empowerment and personal fulfillment. The tree represents life itself, and the fruit represents the woman’s personal fulfillment.
Choosing Molly Bloom’s Monologue
The lyrics of ‘The Sensual World’ were initially adapted from a piece of work in James Joyce’s “Ulysses”- Molly Bloom’s soliloquy. The adaptation was initially supposed to be permission, quote by quote, from Joyce’s masterpiece but it proved to be an arduous task, so some of the planned phrases had to be changed by Kate Bush herself.
Kate Bush fell in love with the book and Joyce’s style of writing that uses stream of consciousness narrative. She was particularly intrigued by Molly Bloom’s monologue because of its rawness and sexual energy. She saw the monologue as a story of a woman discovering her own sexuality and the joy that came with it.
Significance of Adaptation
By adapting Molly Bloom’s monologue, Kate Bush was able to create something that was both new and old at the same time. Joyce’s Ulysses is an iconic piece of literature, and the fact that Bush was able to take something from it and make it her own is significant.
Moreover, Bush manages to bring a new perspective to Bloom’s story. While Joyce’s monologue is written from the perspective of Molly Bloom, Kate Bush creates a new perspective. Her song is written from the perspective of someone watching Molly Bloom’s transformation.
Bush’s adaptation of Molly Bloom’s monologue also highlights the beauty of literature. It shows that literature can be used in different ways to create something new and intriguing, a tribute to the creativity and versatility of literature.
The Significance of the Song to Kate Bush’s Career
Kate Bush is known for being a prolific and innovative musician, and “The Sensual World” solidified her status as one of the most accomplished musicians of her time. The song has become one of her most iconic works, its influence felt in art and culture.
Moreover, the song stands out as one of the most accomplished examples of Kate Bush’s unique music style. The song’s combination of elements like storytelling, spirituality, sexuality, and music is a testament to Bush’s creativity and artistry.
The Video
The video for ‘The Sensual World’ was directed by Bush herself and features her dancing in a garden wearing a red dress. The video plays to the sensuality of the song, with Bush dancing erotically and touching herself.
The video played with the idea of gender fluidity, with Bush taking on a male persona in some parts. It also featured sequences of Kate Bush in a red dress waving a sword, a nod to the mystical and spiritual themes in the song.
Kate Bush ’s Legacy
Kate Bush’s influence on popular culture is undeniable. A pioneer of the use of technology in music, she was one of the first musicians to use the Fairlight CMI synthesizer, which allowed her to use sounds never before heard on records.
She continues to be an inspiration to many musicians, including Bjork and Tori Amos, who have credited her with influencing their own work.
FAQs
What is the meaning behind ‘The Sensual World’?
The song is about a woman’s journey through life and her discovery of her own sensuality and sexuality. The chorus, in particular, reflects this, while the verses follow an elegiac narrative, describing a woman’s journey through life with its disappointments, pain, and joys.
What inspired Kate Bush to write ‘The Sensual World’?
The lyrics of ‘The Sensual World’ were initially adapted from a piece of work in James Joyce’s “Ulysses”- Molly Bloom’s soliloquy. Kate Bush fell in love with the book and Joyce’s style of writing that uses stream of consciousness narrative. She was particularly intrigued by Molly Bloom’s monologue because of its rawness and sexual energy.
What was Kate Bush’s intention when writing ‘The Sensual World’?
Kate Bush intended to create something that was both new and old at the same time. Moreover, Bush manages to bring a new perspective to Bloom’s story. Bush’s adaptation of Molly Bloom’s monologue also highlights the beauty and versatility of literature.
Who directed the video for ‘The Sensual World’?
The video for ‘The Sensual World’ was directed by Kate Bush herself.
What is the significance of the video for ‘The Sensual World’?
The video played to the sensuality of the song, with Bush dancing erotically and touching herself. It also played with the idea of gender fluidity, with Bush taking on a male persona in some parts.
What was unique about Kate Bush’s music style?
Kate Bush’s music style was unique in that it combined elements of storytelling, spirituality, sexuality, and music. She was also one of the first musicians to use the Fairlight CMI synthesizer, which allowed her to use sounds never before heard on records.
Who has Kate Bush influenced?
Kate Bush has influenced many musicians, including Bjork and Tori Amos.
How did ‘The Sensual World’ impact Kate Bush’s career?
‘The Sensual World’ solidified Kate Bush’s status as one of the most accomplished musicians of her time. The song has become one of her most iconic works, its influence felt in art and culture.
Why is ‘The Sensual World’ significant to literature?
Bush’s adaptation of Molly Bloom’s monologue highlights the beauty and versatility of literature. It shows that literature can be used in different ways to create something new and intriguing, a tribute to the creativity and versatility of literature.
What is the significance of the ‘seedcake’ in ‘The Sensual World’?
The ‘seedcake’ in ‘The Sensual World’ is symbolic of the first taste of sex.
What is the significance of the tree in ‘The Sensual World’?
The tree represents life itself in ‘The Sensual World’, and the fruit represents the woman’s personal fulfillment.
What is the significance of the sword in ‘The Sensual World’ video?
The sword in the video is a nod to the mystical and spiritual themes in the song.
